Monday, February 9, 2026
ADVT 
National

Chinese balloon flew through Canada's 'radar gaps'

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 17 Feb, 2023 11:24 AM
  • Chinese balloon flew through Canada's 'radar gaps'

OTTAWA - The deputy commander of Norad says a suspected Chinese spy balloon passed through "radar gaps" during its flight over Canada.

Lt.-Gen. Alain Pelletier says that affected the military's ability to track its flight path as it flew over central British Columbia.

Pelletier and Maj.-Gen. Paul Prevost of the Canadian Armed Forces strategic joint staff are appearing before a parliamentary committee this morning.

The two say the Chinese balloon passed near several Canadian military bases during its journey through Canada on Jan. 30-31.

But they say the balloon did not pass over anything of particular significance before it re-entered the United States and was shot down off the coast of South Carolina on Feb. 4.

Pelletier says they won't know exactly what the balloon was capable of until it can be analyzed.

MORE National ARTICLES

Southwestern B.C. flood watches as rains persist

Southwestern B.C. flood watches as rains persist
The River Forecast Centre says rivers and streams on Vancouver's North Shore mountains and in areas around Squamish, the Sunshine Coast and much of central, east and southern Vancouver Island could exceed levels seen only every five years.

Southwestern B.C. flood watches as rains persist

7 year old rushed to hospital after being struck by a vehicle in West Vancouver

7 year old rushed to hospital after being struck by a vehicle in West Vancouver
The pedestrian, a 7-year-old child, was crossing the street with her family when she was struck by a vehicle travelling westbound on Marine Drive. The child was rushed to the hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.

7 year old rushed to hospital after being struck by a vehicle in West Vancouver

Child's bone found at residential school site

Child's bone found at residential school site
The jawbone fragment, found last October, was identified by the province's coroner's serviceto be that of a childbetween the ages of four and six from about 125 years ago. It was not locatedanywhere near an area that was known to be a graveyard.

Child's bone found at residential school site

B.C. tribunal orders woman to pay for 'time theft

B.C. tribunal orders woman to pay for 'time theft
A tribunal has ordered a British Columbia accountant to pay her former employer more than $2,600 after a tracking software showed she engaged in "time theft" while working from home. The decision released this week by the Civil Resolution Tribunal shows the woman made a claim of $5,000 to cover unpaid wages and severance pay, arguing she had been fired without cause last March.

B.C. tribunal orders woman to pay for 'time theft

Toilet paper toxin found in endangered B.C. orcas

Toilet paper toxin found in endangered B.C. orcas
Dr. Juan José Alava, co-author of the study, said in an interview Thursday that the findings left him and other researchers “shocked and saddened.” He said the toxic chemical substances could affect killer whales’ hormone systems, disrupting physiological function and making them susceptible to diseases.    

Toilet paper toxin found in endangered B.C. orcas

Pandemic, social media at play in teen crimes

Pandemic, social media at play in teen crimes
Police said this week that a group of up to 10 teen girls allegedly assaulted several people at random at downtown Toronto subway stations on Dec. 17. Investigators have not confirmed whether the group is the same one that allegedly stabbed a homeless man who later died in hospital – those teens congregated after meeting on social media.

Pandemic, social media at play in teen crimes